View Full Version : Worried about blood Toxicisity
Hi, I've lived my life as a 'normal' male. At the age of 18, a girlfriend forced me to realize that I didn't like being male, and I began to do research, and figured out I was Transsexual.
About a year ago, I started to take Spiro (it blocks testosterone). I started to have a bad reaction to it, so I switched to a more powerful testosterone blocker 5 months ago.
I've started to have menstrual about 3 months ago, that were prominant. Last Monday, I had really painful cramps, and I am still sore from them today. I'm worried about blood toxifying inside me, since it has nowhere to go. =\ I'm not taking anything but the testosterone blocker, btw, so this is a natural cycle.
I also realized, some of the pain I'm feeling has happened to me before. I can remember the soreness in my lower tummy happening on and off in the past.
Yes, I am planning on seeing a doctor soon. I had an appointment for today, but it did not work out.
I've started to have menstrual about 3 months ago, that were prominant. Last Monday, I had really painful cramps, and I am still sore from them today. I'm worried about blood toxifying inside me, since it has nowhere to go.
If you were a 'normal male' and don't have a uterus or ovaries, you are not having menstrual cramps and you don't have to worry about blood having nowhere to go. The drugs may be causing muscle cramps but they are not menstrual in nature. Menstrual cycles and cramps come from the buildup of blood in the lining of the uterus during fertility cycles and the shedding of it at the end of the fertility cycle when it hasn't been fertilized.
I did a check for the side effects of spironolactone (oral) and these were listed:
>>>>>>>
Adverse Effects
Most Frequent:
Gastrointestinal Irritation, Hyperkalemia
Less Frequent:
Dizziness, Dyskinesia, Erectile Dysfunction, Gynecomastia, Headache, Hyponatremia, Sexual Function Impairment
Rare:
Agranulocytosis, Allergic Dermatitis, Allergic Reactions, Anaphylaxis, Dyspnea, Pruritus of Skin, Skin Rash
>>>>>>>>
I took Spiro for a time, and I did have GI problems on it. I stopped taking it, and the problems continued until I started eating less.
I am taking Androcur, and yes, it has way more side effects regarding the stomach, but again, I stopped taking it for a time and the issues continued.
I'm just concerned because of cramping that happens monthly on a regular schedule. I'm also concerned about the amount of pain the last cramps I had (on monday).
Yeah, that was my experience with Androcur as well. It made my periods heavier and more regular. Perhaps this is why the package insert says not to take it when you're on your period. (I took it continuously.)
If you had problems with spironolactone, was Androcur any better? Long term use of cyproterone (Androcur) causes adrenal suppression, which can lead to many of the same problems with hyperkalemia and salt loss.
I don't know what to tell you about the bleeding. The only suggestion my doctor had was to take birth control pills, which did reduce the cramps and bleeding, but not the PMS :(
Actually, I stopped about a week before my period, and didn't use it until after, and that was the worst one I've had. Could have been stress as well.
Androcur has been better, but to be honest I'm not sure if my problems with Spiro were because of it directly or not.
I'm going to see a doctor soon, and get this all straightened out.
My ex girlfriend, who is currently my best friend, has been helping me with the PMS. I've gotten so many tips for dealing with everything, from everyone including a local FTM friend, other IS friends online, TS friends, GG friends, even some guys. :p
One other thing i'm worried about. A friend who is IS was talking to me about osteperosis. When I was younger, I reached a grand heighth of 5'9", and promptly began to get shorter. A few years later, I was 5'7", and now, I'm probably 5'6". Just another thing to add to the list of stuff to get checked out...
melonaide
02-15-05, 04:06 PM
Actually, I stopped about a week before my period, and didn't use it until after, and that was the worst one I've had. Could have been stress as well.
Androcur has been better, but to be honest I'm not sure if my problems with Spiro were because of it directly or not.
I'm going to see a doctor soon, and get this all straightened out.
My ex girlfriend, who is currently my best friend, has been helping me with the PMS. I've gotten so many tips for dealing with everything, from everyone including a local FTM friend, other IS friends online, TS friends, GG friends, even some guys. :p
One other thing i'm worried about. A friend who is IS was talking to me about osteperosis. When I was younger, I reached a grand heighth of 5'9", and promptly began to get shorter. A few years later, I was 5'7", and now, I'm probably 5'6". Just another thing to add to the list of stuff to get checked out...
This thread is confusing the heck out of me.
What are all the signs that let you know you re having a period?
How long has this been happening?
How do you know before the period....when to stop taking the medicine?
Well, I can't remember all of the things pointing to this being a period, I'll post what I can remember though.
1) I get moody 2-4 days before 2) The cramps are 27-28 days apart 3) Powerful cramps, specifically some that were in the right place and came in waves 4) I feel sore for about a week afterwords 5) My stomach is much more upsettable now, depending on the food, time, and even how the food was prepared 6) Just being moody as hell for a full week, it drives me mad. >_<
This has been happening on and off for years, at least I suspect it has been. My testosterone levels are most probably abnormally high, so like an FTM taking testosterone, the acutal symptoms have been supressed for years. They've been noticable, with cramps and the moods, for 3 months now.
I get moody a few days before the cramps. Plus, they're rather regular, so it isn't hard to stop at the right time. However, the last time, I stopped only because I ran out of pills.
Sarra,
In reading your posts it gives me cause to wonder about what your saying....
quote " Hi, I've lived my life as a 'normal' male. At the age of 18, a girlfriend forced me to realize that I didn't
like being male, and I began to do research, and figured out I was Transsexual."
How does a "girlfriend force" you to think differently than whatever you had been thinking ? Also through the research
you did, what was it that made you diagnose yourself as transsexual ?
Also you state "about a year ago I started taking spiro ", then go on to say because of bad reactions you switched to a more powerful tetosterone blocker.
What I wonder about is why did you start taking these drugs to begin with ? To me it indicates that this was all on your own with no actual medical advice by a doctor.
You do go on to say that you will be going to see a doctor soon, that is a very postive step in the right direction.
I am not trying to offend you, but I do believe that in your best interest that you quit trying to self medicate, as well to consider seeing a therapist.
PS.
Betsy is correct in her post....
Sarra,
In reading your posts it gives me cause to wonder about what your saying....
quote " Hi, I've lived my life as a 'normal' male. At the age of 18, a girlfriend forced me to realize that I didn't
like being male, and I began to do research, and figured out I was Transsexual."
How does a "girlfriend force" you to think differently than whatever you had been thinking ? Also through the research
you did, what was it that made you diagnose yourself as transsexual ?
It was actually something to do with trust. Before I had met her, I was deeply depressed for no apparent reason. She made a statement to me, after we were together, that really forced me to evaluate myself, and what I wanted in life. Basically, she said to me that I would make a great father, and my reaction was more of an 'oh, my god, I don't want to ever be a father!' I realized right then and there I'd rather be a mother, and that's what forced me to do the research.
Also you state "about a year ago I started taking spiro ", then go on to say because of bad reactions you switched to a more powerful tetosterone blocker.
What I wonder about is why did you start taking these drugs to begin with ? To me it indicates that this was all on your own with no actual medical advice by a doctor.
You do go on to say that you will be going to see a doctor soon, that is a very postive step in the right direction.
I am not trying to offend you, but I do believe that in your best interest that you quit trying to self medicate, as well to consider seeing a therapist.
PS.
Betsy is correct in her post....
I hate self medding. It's rather dangerous, and I honestly don't know what is going on in my body. However, every time I have stopped taking the testosterone blockers, I have become agitated, suicidal, and I even had an anxiety attack that seemed to grip me by the throat for the entire day. I have been diagnosed with GID by a psychologist, and have suffered with severe gender dysphoria for my entire life. I've worked very hard to get to where I am today. I beat the depression, and the dysphoria is no longer preventing me from living my daily life as a functional person anymore. I do not know if they cramps and excessive mood swings are because of a psychological reason or something else, but I have to find out. I can say my hips aren't as big as they are because of a psychological deisre, though.
Sarra,
You say; "I have been diagnosed with GID by a psychologist, and have suffered with severe gender dysphoria for my entire life".
If that is the case then why didn`t you get treatment according to the SOC
(standards of care) ?
You still haven`t said why you decided to start taking T blockers.
Did you ever get blood work done to see what the T levels were ?
Or did you just take a guess at it ?
I can see why melonade couldn`t understand this thread.
Don`t get me wrong as I`m not picking on you, but just trying to better understand where your coming from.
Sarra,
You say; "I have been diagnosed with GID by a psychologist, and have suffered with severe gender dysphoria for my entire life".
If that is the case then why didn`t you get treatment according to the SOC
(standards of care) ?
You still haven`t said why you decided to start taking T blockers.
Did you ever get blood work done to see what the T levels were ?
Or did you just take a guess at it ?
I can see why melonade couldn`t understand this thread.
Don`t get me wrong as I`m not picking on you, but just trying to better understand where your coming from.
I didn't go on HRT through my psychologist, because he wasn't able to make that decision. I'm not seeing a Gender Therapist because there are none in my area, that I have been able to find. I had his support to start taking the Spiro, I was taking a small dose and it's not exactly a dangerous drug. However, he just wasn't helping, and soon after I stopped seeing him. That's when I switched drugs.
It's not a very difficult guess to make on my hormone levels. I was sexually overactive, much to my continued anger and frusteration. When I was younger, probably about 8, I started getting priapisms (long, painful erections) that would last 2-3 hours 3-5 times a week, with an occasional priapism lasking 7 hours or longer.
According to the SOC, if I were to see a doctor about this, they should give me a perscription for a T blocker, to keep me from self medding, but the last 2 doctors I've seen simply told me I didn't want to keep doing this. I hate doing this, but the nearest person who could seriously help me is more than a 4 hour drive away, and I can barely afford my car payments right now, much less that much gas.
Right now, I still suffer from the dysphoria, it's just a tolerable thing. I've hurt myself in the past, before going on the Androcur and after stopping it for a month. I have some semblance of stability on the Androcur, at least for 3 out of 4 weeks of the month. I never had that before. I want to live my life who I am, not as someone that I'm forced to live as by everyone else. I don't care if I'm IS or just TS, I just can't stand living as a male any longer.
MelissP
02-16-05, 10:03 PM
Hi, I've lived my life as a 'normal' male. At the age of 18, a girlfriend forced me to realize that I didn't like being male, and I began to do research, and figured out I was Transsexual.
Whether or not you are a (physically) normal male has no solid
connection to whether you enjoy being male; or enjoyed being a
immitation male, if that's what you've been. Or to being a trans.
The large majority of m2f's start out with a history of having had
a sex life, and often with children. That's the physical, though they
surely disliked their lives enough to motivate a change. On the flip
side, former physically normal females have really wanted a Man's
Life.
I think what I'm trying to say is that while {what you like} means
little, the question to be answered here is- /Why/ you don't like it?
The answer is important, if you're willing to say it openly ...
About a year ago, I started to take Spiro (it blocks testosterone). I started to have a bad reaction to it, so I switched to a more powerful testosterone blocker 5 months ago.
I've started to have menstrual about 3 months ago, that were prominant. Last Monday, I had really painful cramps, and I am still sore from them today. I'm worried about blood toxifying inside me, since it has nowhere to go. =\ I'm not taking anything but the testosterone blocker, btw, so this is a natural cycle.
I also realized, some of the pain I'm feeling has happened to me before. I can remember the soreness in my lower tummy happening on and off in the past.
Yes, I am planning on seeing a doctor soon. I had an appointment for today, but it did not work out.
Yes, you really should seek medical help.
Ok, let me try to give you the best straight answers I can manage.
Let's assume that everything is exactly what you think it is;;
For these to be menstrual cycles, the pain etc would be a result
of liquid pressure. After three incidents, the vile liquids in question
(well I think they're vile) aren't likely to be staying inside you for
much longer. That's the thing about liquid pressure. Liquids don't
compress too well, and the flesh they'd be trapped-in has it's limits.
They're quite likely to rip themselves an exit or two.
In my case the fluids ripped two ways out of me, and that was over
4 years before I ever touched any hormonal treatments. Yes, very
intense pain, roughtly in the same catagory as having a full colon-
oscopy w/o anesthesia (another pleasureless experience I've had)
but lasting longer.
Though afterwards you'll have evidence to show a doctor. You get
good at predicting your bad days :-( Though really, a pelvic ultrasound
is quicker and shows convincing amounts of detail (I was convinced)
Well, it's saddening to hear of your troubles, and I hope for your sake
that they don't turn out to be like mine. It's certainly nothing to be
envied or desired; and it's like turning the knife in my wounds when I've
seen various people online wishing for a situation which has brought me
nothing but sorrows (so far). I would have rather been healthy. But it's
like the doctors and my parents must have flipped a coin. I lost.
Mel
Thanks for that. I've got an appointment on the 24'th, that will hopefully work out this time.
I actually have a friend who is IS, whom I will be living with. She apparently has had some organs removed, but she still gets phantom pains once a month, and they can sync with other girl's cycles. I'm going to be curious as to if we will sync.
Living as a male just never felt right to me. My mind was forced to work differently, I was forced to behave differently, even to feel differntly. =\
Oh, I don't envy this, but if it means I'll be able to have children some day, then I'll take what I can get.
MelissP
02-17-05, 08:52 AM
Thanks for that. I've got an appointment on the 24'th, that will hopefully work out this time.
I actually have a friend who is IS, whom I will be living with. She apparently has had some organs removed, but she still gets phantom pains once a month, and they can sync with other girl's cycles. I'm going to be curious as to if we will sync.
Living as a male just never felt right to me. My mind was forced to work differently, I was forced to behave differently, even to feel differntly. =\
Oh, I don't envy this, but if it means I'll be able to have children some day, then I'll take what I can get.
Umm; even if you've got all the reproductive organs, the chances of your
getting pregnant (and keeping the child to term) are nothing to bet on.
At least, according to a few medical sources. And if you think that you're
hurting now ...
Anyways, I'm not an expert, but I think that if you have a condition now
that it should have had some manifestation before this. And the reasons
you just gave for being trans don't seem to suggest physical reasons.
Feeling discontent with lifestyle and expected behavior is pretty much
the norm for trans. Though I'm often wrong :-)
Mel
Dana Gold
02-17-05, 11:09 AM
I've got an appointment on the 24'th, that will hopefully work out this time.
Dear Sarra,
First of all, it is good to hear you are going to be seeing a doctor; the question being, what are your expectations and what do you desire as an outcome? (that it will "work out").
Given your history of acute and chronic severe abdominal pain and self-medicating with (currently) a potent progestin/anti-androgen, it is apparent that medical attention and monitoring of certain hormone and enzyme levels ought to be of utmost concern.
The suppression of testosterone will result in a net effect of NO sex hormones in your body, especially if there is no exogenous or endogenous estrogen in your system. This will leave you at a high risk for future osteopenia/osteoporosis, as well as other health consequences of your self-induced hypogonadism.
Secondly, the cyproterone acetate (unavailable in the US and very expensive through the "mail order" pharmacy houses) you are taking carries an additional risk factor of possible liver damage; so you need to be monitored for not only sex-hormone levels, but also liver enzymes and other endocrine hormones (pituitary).
You will of course have to be honest with your doctor about the anti-androgen usage, because if he or she were to take blood for laboratory tests (while you are still taking it)...the tests will be invalid and not reflective of baseline physiology....and may mask a real (original) endocrine condition....so an accurate (physical) diagnosis from these tests would not be possible.
If you indeed have uterine or endometrial tissue, then you are doing "them" no favors by disregarding "their" pain, thinking that an anti-androgen will help....again you may be masking or overlooking a possible anatomic problem by "suppressing" something you know little about.... or worse, assuming the pain is one thing, when it may be possible that it is really another (intestinal obstruction, abdominal angina, pelvic masses, bladder problems, just to name a few). Pain is the body's way of telling you...."help me!...there's something wrong here!".....and the brain: "and don't guess!!...take us to a doctor who knows about these things!!"
So, please regard your health as the primary concern....deal with that aspect first....freeing your mind of the wondering and hence knowing for sure "what you are"....i.e. "the truth".....and then proceeding forward and dealing with your GID..."who you are".... (are there any support groups in your area?...have you considered such?).
You are still very young and there's plenty of time to find your happiness in this lifetime......take care.
Dana :pizza:
Umm; even if you've got all the reproductive organs, the chances of your
getting pregnant (and keeping the child to term) are nothing to bet on.
I'm planning on, if I have an intact uterus, getting a donor egg from someone else. I know I'm infertile as a male, it's painfully obvious.
Anyways, I'm not an expert, but I think that if you have a condition now
that it should have had some manifestation before this.
Well, I never kept track of it, but I do remember getting unusually bitchy at school on occasion when I was in High School, and even Middle School. I also remember getting upset stomachs, but it was almost always something I just shurgged off and never made a note of.
First of all, it is good to hear you are going to be seeing a doctor; the question being, what are your expectations and what do you desire as an outcome?
I expect to find the truth, and either way, I will accept it. It might not explain the cramps, I think if the doctor can't figure it out, I will need to see an endocrinologist.
The suppression of testosterone will result in a net effect of NO sex hormones in your body, especially if there is no exogenous or endogenous estrogen in your system. This will leave you at a high risk for future osteopenia/osteoporosis, as well as other health consequences of your self-induced hypogonadism.
First off, having a monthly cycle would be an indication that there is some kind of estrogen in my system, where it's coming from and how it got there is beyond me. As for osteoperosis, I already have indications that I have it: When I was 15, I was 5'9". By the time I was 17, I was 5'8". When I was 18, I was 5'7", and now at 20, I'm 5'6 1/2". That's not exactly a bone density scan, but it should have some kind of meaning.
Secondly, the cyproterone acetate you are taking carries an additional risk factor of possible liver damage; so you need to be monitored for not only sex-hormone levels, but also liver enzymes and other endocrine hormones (pituitary).
Liver damage from cyprotone acetate typically occurs after taking it for 10-15 years, and also after taking it at the full dosage. I'm taking half a dosage, and have been taking it for 4 months. The possibility of a high level of damage to the liver by now is slim, but the doctor I will be seeing will be doing a blood test on me. I will be telling the doctor about it regardless, I told the doctor I went to for pinkeye about it even.
You will of course have to be honest with your doctor about the anti-androgen usage, because if he or she were to take blood for laboratory tests (while you are still taking it)...the tests will be invalid and not reflective of baseline physiology....and may mask a real (original) endocrine condition....so an accurate (physical) diagnosis from these tests would not be possible.
I seriously doubt that the doctor I will be going to will do any kind of test involving hormones. If he finds something unusual, he may send me to an endocrinologist, who would perform those tests. I'd most probably be asked to stop taking the pills one to two weeks before the actual test to get a more accurate baseline.
If you indeed have uterine or endometrial tissue, then you are doing "them" no favors by disregarding "their" pain, thinking that an anti-androgen will help....again you may be masking or overlooking a possible anatomic problem by "suppressing" something you know little about.... or worse, assuming the pain is one thing, when it may be possible that it is really another (intestinal obstruction, abdominal angina, pelvic masses, bladder problems, just to name a few). Pain is the body's way of telling you...."help me!...there's something wrong here!".....and the brain: "and don't guess!!...take us to a doctor who knows about these things!!"
I can understand that. Unforutnatly, my parents cannot. My parents both work in the health industry, and have basically blocked any attempt I have made to seek help regarding this. They have forced me to live a certain way for a long time, and basically have beaten on me emotionally the last time I brought this specific problem up. To me, it was a choice between taking the anti androgens, self orchie, or suicide, and I chose the anti androgens. I was, and am, aware of the side effects and dangers of taking this drug, and I chose it becaues there was no other viable choice. Sometime in the near future, maybe in 6-8 months, I will be selling my car and going to a doctor to get an orchie performed, and possibly a nullification. This is how deeply I hate living male. I don't care if it kills me, I just can't keep doing this.
So, please regard your health as the primary concern....deal with that aspect first....freeing your mind of the wondering and hence knowing for sure "what you are"....i.e. "the truth".....and then proceeding forward and dealing with your GID..."who you are".... (are there any support groups in your area?...have you considered such?).
You are still very young and there's plenty of time to find your happiness in this lifetime......take care.
If I am really IS, then GID wouldn't make sense. In fact, being diagnosed as IS would completely nullify any kind of GID diagnosis. I would then have the choice of either faking being TS all the way to SRS, or I would have to take the harder road and get GRS. I don't know which way to go. Everyone tells me to do the TS road because it's easier, but I just don't know. =\
Dana Gold
02-18-05, 11:30 AM
Dear Sarra,
I wish you good luck in your endeavors. One question, please. Were you ever medically treated for your priapism? Since your condition was of the painful type, it would be an indication that you had outflow obstruction of the penile venous system (as opposed to the arterial inflow type) My suggestion to you, take it or leave it, would be to follow up with a doctor in regard to any posssible pelvic vascular complications stemming from the chronic priapism you had as an adolescent. This may be important in light of your plans to become pregnant at all costs...all adjacent vascular (venous and arterial) systems need to be fully functional and obstruction free, not just for the functional integrity of the reproductive organs, but also for other abdominal/pelvic organs (intestines, bladder etc.) and adjacent tissues as well.
That's all I have to say. Take care.
Dana
I do not know what caused the priapisms. I have heard that they could have been due to a nervous system issue, but I've never had back problems which usually indicates such. I am not sure if it was a circulatory problem, either. I personally feel it was hormonal, although I have no such indication that it was. I will take your advice, though, and talk to my doctor about it.
I'm not looking to become pregnant at all costs, either. I need a partner to live with, a stable home environment, stable income, and I need several other factors before I can even look into the possability.
Dana Gold
02-18-05, 03:02 PM
talk to my doctor about it.
partner to live with, a stable home environment, stable income, and I need several other factors
Smart move and thinking, Sarra. To use a metaphor: My grandmother used to say the best meals were ones prepared with care and forethought, using ingredients that were wisely selected....Bon Appetit!
Again, I wish you good luck, peace and happiness.
Dana
Thanks. :) I try to think things through, and one of the things I've learned to do at an early age, which has become a normal thought process for me, is looking at the bigger picture. I don't rush into things. ;)
Okay, saw the doctor. I've basically been told to go see a Urologist and endoc (because of the GID). The doctor pressed down on me during the exam and frowned... Then, he checked a few more things, then left and made a phone call about me. I donated some urine for a test and they stole some blood from me as well. They will be doing a T and E level check for me, which means, even though the doctor didn't say anything to me, I'll have a hint as to if something is awry in me. =\
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